Rama Albastră: Rediscovering Forgotten Narratives Through Rural Museum Exhibitions

Hundreds of forgotten stories and memories come to life in the photo exhibitions of six regional museums, providing a glimpse into the lives and tales of their inhabitants during the interwar period. This courageous documentation and cultural preservation initiative is spearheaded by the “Rama Albastră” (Blue Frame) project, led by Victor Organ, an explorer of both the past and the present, writes Diez.

The initiative is one of the ten winning projects under the “Muzeele viitorului” (Museums of the Future) program, implemented by the Artcor Center, the Association of Creative Companies COR, supported by the Ministry of Culture, USAID Moldova, the Embassy of Sweden, and the United Kingdom through the Future Technologies Project and the Rural Competitiveness and Resilience Project (RCRA).

As a specialist in heritage photography, Victor Organ observed that many old photographs are on the brink of disappearing due to degradation. Consequently, he decided to create his archive of interwar-era photographs, not just as a collector but to exhibit them in regional museums.

Through the “Muzeele viitorului” program, he initiated the process of collecting, digitizing, and restoring photographs from six villages: Horești, Trușeni, Sofia, Mereni, Călărași, and Taraclia. Hundreds of carefully selected photographs, based on criteria such as age, historical significance, and artistic technique, have been meticulously restored. Victor’s clear goal with this project was to collaborate with regional museums to update their existing exhibitions.

“If in Chisinau, there are museums where exhibitions change, in regional museums, the exhibitions are permanent. What was exhibited in the ’80s and ’90s remained the same until now, perhaps with a few added objects. In addition to that, museums were pleased that we did not bring our exhibition to them but created the exhibition from what they have, from the people’s photos. We do not bring photos taken in Chisinau or abroad for them to see something foreign. When they visit the exhibition, they see their photos, simply improved,” stated Victor Organ, the creator of the “Rama Albastră” project.

For these exhibitions, Victor managed to acquire some of the most advanced scanners in the country, capable of reproducing both color and black-and-white films. Consequently, the museum spaces involved in the project can compete with galleries and alternative spaces in Chisinau, providing not only a reimagining of older photographs but also immersive experiences for visitors.

“We tried, in the museums we interacted with, to change the appearance, at least at the level of sensation, to feel like entering a new, renovated space. That’s why it was important for us to install sound and lights. Music, especially traditional, older music, immerses you in the atmosphere, and light significantly changes the perception of the exhibits in the museum. Speaking of young people, they are interested in the artistic aspect, the room, the projector, the television, but for the elderly – they don’t just look, they see these photos, they truly recognize themselves in them, as they lived, they were in that period,” Organ explained.

In the process of collecting photographs, Victor and his team discovered many lost stories over time. One of these is the “Sărbătoarea Verdelui” (Green Celebration) in Sofia, where only women are accepted. To respect this celebration, Victor formed a team of four women who documented this secular tradition, collected photos from various periods and observed how much this day has changed from generation to generation.

“In the age of technology, village museums become vibrant hubs of local history. Through the “Rama Albastră” project, within the “Muzeele viitorului” program, we aim to preserve not only images but also the stories of our communities. Technology allows us to offer visitors an immersive experience and connect the past with the present. It is essential to bring innovation to rural museums, attracting tourists and providing them with an authentic perspective on the cultural richness of each village,” said Diana Lazăr, Director of the Wine Industry and Tourism, Rural Competitiveness and Resilience Project.

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For the future, Victor has ambitious plans: he wants to develop a website hosting a publicly accessible photographic archive. Simultaneously, he focuses on expanding the number of physical, and offline exhibitions to connect visitors not only with the images but also with the accompanying stories, aiming to offer a comprehensive perspective on the past and present in a single space.

“Victor Organ and the “Rama Albastră” team digitized hundreds of black-and-white photos for the Creative Industries Festival at Artcor, and within the “Muzeele viitorului” program, “Rama Albastră” was the only participant that created collaboration not with a regional museum but with six. Thus, the “Muzeele viitorului” program is not limited to museums in the capital but reaches rural regions, where museums represent true creative hubs,” claimed Viorica Cerbușca, Director of Artcor.

The ten winning teams under the “Muzeele viitorului” program were designated in March 2023 and have been developing their projects since.

“The “Muzeele viitorului” program is an initiative that reflects our commitment to preserving and promoting the cultural richness of our communities. Its collaboration with regional museums emphasizes the importance of connecting the past and present, offering visitors and tourists an immersive and authentic experience,” said Andrei Chistol, State Secretary, Ministry of Culture.

The “Muzeele viitorului” program aims to increase the visibility of cultural institutions through the integration of innovations, modernization of spaces, and monetization of visitor experiences. Technologies act as a catalyst for traditional domains such as tourism, culture, and history, serving as a tool to present identity and the past. Technology helps museums attract a more engaged audience by exploring culture through digital tools.

This initiative is implemented by Artcor, the Association of Creative Companies COR, within Moldova Creativă under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture, with the support of USAID, Sweden, and the United Kingdom through the Future Technologies Project and the Rural Competitiveness and Resilience Project.